JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars had a busy first day of the 2025 new league year, introducing nine new players to their roster. Senior writer John Oehser examines the five things you should know about the Jaguars' 2025 free agency class
1. The Jaguars had holes – and they filled them. The Jaguars' 2025 free-agency class was about functionality and raising the floor of the roster more than splash, and the nine players have the feel of solid players who can contribute to – and start on – a new-look team and culture immediately. Quickly, the nine players who agreed to terms with the Jaguars Wednesday: wide receiver Dyami Brown (Washington Commanders), offensive lineman Chuma Edoga (Dallas Cowboys), center Robert Hainsey (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), cornerback Jourdan Lewis (Cowboys), tight end Hunter Long (Los Angeles Rams), guard Patrick Mekari (Baltimore Ravens), quarterback Nick Mullens (Minnesota Vikings), tight end Johnny Mundt (Vikings) and safety Eric Murray (Houston Texans). This is a group with five or six immediate starters – Brown, Hainsey, Lewis, Mekari and Murray at least – in places where the Jaguars needed them immediately. That was a needed step for a franchise transitioning to a new head coach and new offensive/defensive systems.
2. This should be a more physical – and deeper – offensive line. If any group stood out from the rest in the nine acquisitions, it may have been offensive line. The Jaguars acquired three offensive linemen — Mekari, Hainsey and Edoga – and Mekari/Hainsey represent a significant change in that they are physical, brawling players who could help the line improve as a run-blocking unit. Look for Mekari to start at right guard, with Hainsey starting at center. Hainsey started at center for the Buccaneers in 2022-2023 and Mekari started at guard for the Ravens in 2024. Hainsey – who can play multiple line positions – in particular appears to be a significant signing, having played in the Buccaneers' offensive system the past four seasons – including the 2024 season when Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen served as offensive coordinator. His presence at starting center is expected to help quarterback Trevor Lawrence as he adjusts to a third offensive system in five NFL seasons. As for Lawrence, remember: This regime and this organization is about making him successful and building around the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. Improving the run game and the offensive line this week is vivid evidence of that approach.
3. The secondary got addressed in a big way. If any group other than offensive line stood out among Wednesday's acquisitions, it may have been the secondary. The Jaguars entered the week with essentially one "penciled-in" starter in the defensive backfield – cornerback Tyson Campbell – and added a starting nickel in Lewis and starting safety in Murray. Safety Andrew Wingard and cornerback Jarrian Jones are possibilities at the other secondary positions, with additions possible – and even likely – during the 2025 NFL Draft. Lewis gives the Jaguars one of the NFL's top nickel corners and Murray is a starting-caliber player immediately.
4. The Jaguars are faster at receiver than they were last week. The Jaguars made multiple high-profile moves in advance of the league year, with two of the most significant being trading wide receiver Christian Kirk and releasing tight end Evan Engram. Those moves left the Jaguars with essentially only rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. as a front-line option in the receiving corps, with wide receiver Gabe Davis still rehabilitating from a 2024 knee injury and wide receiver Parker Washington a possibility as a slot receiver. This made the addition of Brown – who agreed to a one-year deal – particularly important. His production accelerated significantly late last season, catching 14 passes for 147 yards in the five regular-season games and 14 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown in five postseason games. He has high-end speed, giving the Jaguars two receivers – Thomas and Brown – who can beat defenses deep.
5. This class was about getting "their guys." While the nine players acquired on Wednesday were about improving the offensive line and secondary, they also were about re-establishing the culture and identity. An emphasis therefore was made on players who know Coen and this coaching staff's approach. Mullens and Mundt worked with Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski in recent seasons with the Vikings, and Hainsey worked with Coen with the Buccaneers last season. General Manager James Gladstone has familiarity with Long, having served with the Rams for nine seasons before joining the Jaguars as general manager last month. When you're changing regimes and organizational philosophies, you need players who understand the new approach – and the Jaguars worked to add such players this week.
